Nonoverfill device



Dec. 28, 1943. HILL 2,337,750

NONOVERFILL DEVICE Filed March 8, 1940 lNV NTOB W MM 1 ATTORNEY/4 Patented Dec. 28, 1943 Ul'lD STAT E TNT i 't'illi N ONOVERFHJL DEVICE Robert H. Hill, Anderson, Ind, assignor to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware 2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in non-overfill devices in cover assemblies for a container for electrolyte.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a gravity valve construction adapted to be mounted and supported in a chamber in a cover for a container, and which will prevent overfilling of the container with electrolyte.

Another object of the invention is to provide a gravity actuated valve of the character stated which is of simple construction and inexpensive to manufacture and yet one which will be exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing wherein a preferred embodiment of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional View through a storage battery cell and cover fitted with a valve mechanism embodying the features of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the vent plug removed.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the filler opening with the vent plug and the valve part removed.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view similar to Fig. 3 showing a valve part mounted within the filler opening.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the valve part. Referring to the drawing designates a fragment of one wall of a storage battery cell or container for electrolyte. A cover 2!, a fragment of which is shown, is secured to the container in any suitable manner, not shown. The container and cover enclose the usual plates and separators, a fragment of one of the plates is designated by the numeral 22 and 23 represents approximately the desired electrolyte level.

The cover 2! is provided with a filler opening 24 defined by a tubular sleeve 25 of step formation. This sleeve comprises an inlet 25 surrounded by a wall 2'! and an outlet 28surrounded by a wall 28a, the latter being of less diameter than the inlet 25 to provide a shoulder 29 with a fiat surface on one side of a medial line 50, see Fig. 3. The flat surface of the shoulder 29 is provided with a vent opening 30 to establish communication between the space interior of the wall 2! and the space exterior of the sleeve 25 below the cover 2| and above the electrolyte.

Within the inlet 28 and located above the shoulder 29 are a pair of spaced projections which cooperate to form a vertical guideway for a valve part 35. Each projection is indicated by the numeral 3!. Thus, there is formed in the inlet a formation which may be described as being in the general form of a V-shaped guideway, said guideway being located on the other side of the medial line 50 of the inlet 26. This V- shaped guideway also operates to prevent the valve part 35 from turning on a horizontal plane within the inlet 26.

The valve part 35, is preferably cast of lead antimony and is of irregular formation. This valve part is adapted to be mounted within the inlet 26 to control the vent opening 35. The valve part in the present instance comprises an arcuate portion 33 having an ear 3'! the-greater portion of which lies in plane of the top surface of the circular portion 36. angular formation and is adapted to fit loosely between the projections 3! which form the guideway for the ear in its movements. The ear 3'! carries a lug 38 which extends a predetermined distance above the top surfaces of the projections 3!. It will be observed that the circular portion 36 is of greater mass than the ear 3! and the lug 38 combined. Thus, when valve part 35 is mounted within the inlet 26 and supported on the shoulder 29 the portion 36 will close the vent 30, while the ear 3'! will be located between the projection 3! and spaced a substantial distance above the plane of the shoulder 23. Thus, due to the action of gravity the heavy mass portion 36 will normally close the vent 30 when the vent plug is removed from the cover. The valve part 35 is provided with an opening 39 which is concentric with the outlet opening 28 to provide for a through passage from the inlet 26 to the outlet 23.

A vent plug M is adapted to be secured into the interiorly threaded upper part of the inlet 26. This vent plug carries a baffle 42 notched at 43 and is provided with a vent A l. When the cap 4! is removed from the cover, as shown at Fig. 2, the valve part 35 will drop by the action of gravity with the circular portion 33 resting upon the shoulder 29 to close the vent 3B. When this happens air will be trapped in the space between the exterior of the skirt 25 and the underside of the cover. As the liquid is poured into the container or cell, its electrolyte level will rise to that of the lowest edge of the sleeve 25 which is the normal electrolyte level, and thereafter air will be trapped in the space mentioned whereupon additional liquid will fill the interior of the sleeve 25 without The ear is of tri-' causing an appreciable rise of the electroylte after it has reached the desired level.

When the cap 4! is replaced upon the cover, to close the filler opening, as shown in Fig. 1, the threaded portion of the plug will engage the internal threads provided in the inlet 26. As the plug is threaded into the inlet the lower edge or flange 46 of the plug will engage the lug 38 causing the valve part 35 to move or rock on the shoulder 29 in clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1 causing the circular end 36 of greater mass to rise uncovering the vent opening 30 so that air, gas or vapors which rise to the top of the container may pass from the space under the cover above the electrolyte out through vent opening 30, inlet 26 and vent plug opening 44.

While the embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. A cover assembly for a container for an electrolyte' comprising; a cover; a tube extending thru the cover to a normal electrolyte level within the container; an annular shoulder within the tube; elements on one side of a medial line of the shoulder and extending upwardly therefrom to provide a vertical guideway above the shoulder; a vent passage extending from the tube walls communicating with a space under the cover and above the electrolyte and extending to the shoulder on the side of the medial line opposite the elements and within the confines of the tube; a tubular tiltable valve insertable in the tube and having a heavy mass adapted to lie on the shoulder by gravity and on the side of the medial line opposite the elements to close the vent, and said valve having a lighter mass in offset relation with respect to the lower plane of the heavy mass so that the valve will rock upon itself, said lighter mass extending into the vertical guideway with the outermost end projecting above the elements; and a vent cap for closing the tube, said cap having means engaging the outermost end of the lighter mass to rock the valve upon itself upon application of the cap to open the vent, the elements serving to prevent rotation of the valve.

2. A cover assembly for a container for electrolyte comprising a cover; a tube extending through the cover to a normal electrolyte level within the container; a ledge having a flat surface within the tube; a vent through the ledge connecting a space under the cover and above the electrolyte level with the interior of the tube; a washer shaped unbalanced weight resting on the ledge and closing said vent, said weight having a heavy mass having a flat bottom surface on one side of a medial line and resting on the flat surface of the ledge and having a lighter mass on the other side of the medial line with the lighter mass in offset relation with respect to the heavier mass so as to provide a fulcrum at the point of offset about which the Weight is tilted upon itself; vertically converging elements within the tube cooperating with the lighter side of the weight for preventing rotational displacement of the valve member with respect to the vent; means carried by the lighter mass of the weight projecting above the elements at a point substantially diametrically opposite the center of the heavy mass; a vent cap for closing the tube, said cap having means for engaging the projecting means of the weight to tilt the weight upon itself upon application of the vent cap to open the vent.

ROBERT H. HILL. 

